Improvements to Sheringham station are long overdue, according to Sheringham Town Council, But what do local rail users think? We spoke to train passengers and traders to find out.

Sheringham mayor Madeleine Ashcroft ((left) and deputy mayor Liz Withington, who have been campaigning for improvements to the town's station for 18 months.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL

Sheringham Mayor Madeleine Ashcroft said the town council, which began campaigning for improvements to the station 18 months ago after Sheringham Dementia Friendly Community (SDFC) representatives expressed concerns about safety and accessibility, was delighted with the plans, which demonstrated the value Greater Anglia placed on the Bittern Line.

Friends Mavis Lowe and Ursula Morris, who setting off for a shopping trip to Norwich from Sheringham station.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL

She added: “The new platform will improve train travel for both residents and visitors. The town council is really pleased that by acting as a voice for the town such a significant change has been brought about so swiftly. This will provide the impressive gateway Sheringham deserves.”

Deputy mayor Liz Withington, who is also chairman of SDFC, said: “This will support Sheringham greatly in being a dementia accessible town and support local people to use public transport. The town council working in partnership with the Community Rail Partnership, the North Norfolk Railway and SDFC have helped to ensure the best interests of the town are being promoted. “

Taxi driver Geoff Hershman, who would like to see the platform moved to the other side of the tracks.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL

Ursula Morris, who was heading from Sheringham to Norwich for a shopping trip with her friend Mavis Lowe said improvements to the station were very welcome.

Denise Price, of Roughton, who thinks improvements to Sheringham station will be a positive thing for the town.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL

“I’m all for it,” she said. “The station is very well-used, particularly during peak times, and it is a windy spot so a new shelter is a good idea.”

Chris Wright, of Sheringham hardware store Blyth and Wright said an improved station would encourage people to visit the town.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL

Taxi driver Geoff Hershman, who regularly takes train passengers from the station to neighbouring towns and villages including Blakeney and Holt, said he would like to see the platform moved to the other side of the tracks. “It would be better for people who use wheelchairs if it was wider but, In my opinion, it would be a big improvement if people could get off the train and walk straight through to Tesco.”

Tesco customer service manager Scott Meadows-Wright, who said improvements to Sheringham station would be welcomed by elderly people.
Photo: KAREN BETHELL

Denise Price, who lives at Roughton, but visits Sheringham every week, thought the improvements were a good thing for the town.

“It’s great, I think anything that makes public transport more accessible and makes it easier for people to travel is positive.” She said.

Chris Wright, who is managing director of Station Road hardware store Blyth and Wright, said it was good to see money being invested in the town. He added: “It will hopefully bring more people into Sheringham during the peak season but, as for the new trains, I don’t mind if they are steam trains as long as they stop at Sheringham .”

Tesco customer service manager Scott Meadows-Wright said: “I think it will benefit Sheringham a great deal, it’s a good thing to make the station more accessible to elderly and disabled people, a new shelter would be very welcome and it doesn’t look very well kept at the moment, so it would be great if the appearance of the station could be improved.”